Ambassador - Heather "Anish" Anderson
Basecamp: Bellingham, Washington!
Trail Name: Anish
Trail Resume:
- Overall Self-Supported FKT (Fastest Known Time) on the Pacific Crest Trail
- Female Self-Supported FKT on the Appalachian Trail
- Female Self-Supported FKT on the Arizona Trail
- First Female Calendar Year Triple Crown
- Only Female Triple Triple Crowner
What It Means to Me to #takelessdomore: In an age of consumerism, those who live without by choice are rare. I never really had a lot, by modern sense. My family never had enough money to buy superfluous things or keep up with trends in fashion and thingamabobs. I learned frugality from day one. However, it wasn't until I began long-distance hiking that I understood and took to heart that having less could also be a choice, rather than a financial necessity. As a young woman, I was impacted by the lightness of the trail experience. I purged many of my belongings after my first hike. And again and again. The more I hiked, the less I wanted. The less I needed. I realized that accumulation of material goods held me pinned to a life that was less—a life spent in an effort to afford the things and a place to hold them. The more closely my possessions matched the contents of my backpack, the happier I became. I found a richer, more fulfilling life by having less.
Taking less into the backcountry isn't as rare as it once was. I hope that in the future, living with less off the trail isn't as rare either.
How I Got Into Ultralight Hiking: I read an article about the Appalachian Trail when I was 17 and was immediately intrigued by the adventure of it. Four years later, I stepped away from Springer Mountain and found my life path: hiking.
Favorite Gossamer Gear Product: It's hard to pick! But if I had to choose just one, I'd say the Silverback. Durable, able to handle a variety of load sizes, and comfortable.
Favorite Trail (so far!): Anywhere in the North Cascades.
Dream Trip: More routes and less defined footpaths.
Organizations I Support: ALDHA-West.
Follow along with Heather via her website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
